This Shabbat, we begin the fourth book of the Torah, Bemidbar, the Book of Numbers. The English title of the book describes the census of the Israelites. The Hebrew title is the first significant Hebrew word of the text. Literally, "bemidbar" means "in the wilderness". It is a most appropriate title for the narrative of Israel's wandering in the Sinai.

A census is conducted of all Israelite males over the age of twenty. The princes of the tribes are listed. The figures of each of the tribes are listed. These numbers are difficult because if there were 603,550 adult males, the total population of ancient Israel wandering in the wilderness would total several million! Some have claimed that the numbers represent an idealization as all of Israel is said to have been present at Sinai. The Levites were not counted because of their unique role in Israelite society.

The arrangement of the tribes in the Israelite camp is presented in Numbers chapter two. The tribes of Asher, Dan, and Naftali marched on the northern flank of the camp. The tribes of Gad, Reuben, and Simon were situation on the south. The three tribes of Menasseh, Ephraim, and Benjamin were placed on the west. Zevulon, Judah and Isaachar were located on the east.

Chapter three describes the duties of the Levites. Elazar and Itamar assumed the Levitical responsibilities after the death of their older brothers, Nadav and Avihu. The Levites replaced the first-born of Israel as the religious leaders of the people. There were three branches of the House of Levi: Gershon, Kehat, and Merari.

The sons of Gershon were responsible for transporting the tapestries, the hangings, and the screen of the Tabernacle. The family of Kehat was given responsibility for the ark, the table, the menorah, the altars, and the vessels of the Tabernacle. The children of Merari had to transport the boards, pillars, and sockets.

The first born of the Israelites were relieved of their original role of religious leadership by the Levites. However, there were 273 additional first-born Israelites. These additional Israelites were redeemed through a payment of five shekels each. This ritual continues to be with us in modern Judaism in the pidyon haben ceremony. The first born son is redeemed from the kohen for five shekels.

The Torah continues to delegate the responsibilities of the Levites. Aaron and his sons were responsible for the disassembling of the Tabernacle. They were also responsible for the covering of the sacred instruments of the Tabernacle. After Aaron and his sons covered these sacred vessels, the sons of Kehat were not permitted to touch them. The sons of Kehat were prohibited from observing how the holy vessels were covered.